This is Part 4 of my Appleseed project. The idea of this figure project is based on Appleseed Ex Machine.
Storyline of Ex Machina: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Appleseed_Ex_Machina
Photoshop Graphics
This CG is based on the last scene when Deunan was defeated by Xander, the cyborg. The apparatus in her hand is the serum antidote for the virus that is controlling Xander.
In the movie opening scene, Deunan, Briareos and other ESWAT members rescued the hostages kept in a church. They teamed up perfectly to neutralize the cyborg gangsters. The background of this CG is taken from the Prague Castle Church, which the movie is based on.
In this scene, Deunan and Tereus are in their landmates guarding the International Conference venue in Olympus City. The background of this CG is a video clip from the movie. The landmate is actually 1/20 Hot Toys Snap Kits.
Concept of this CG is from a movie poster. Other than Deunan and Briareos, the other ESWAT members are 1/20 scale Hot Toys Snap Kits.
In the hangar, Deunan is taking a rest next to her Landmate.
Deunan is pulling out her sword to fight with a cyborg enemy in the opening church scene.
It is time to be relax: Deunan in her casual wear. The idea is based on her Prada design costume in the movie.
The Figures
Deunan (Battle Damaged Version)
Head – Takara Deunan repainted, hair trimmed
Aiming Eye – Hot Toys
Body – CoolGirl 2.0
Suit – bought from ActionFigure2000
Armor&Accessories – Takara
Assault SMG – Hot Toys
Sword – Hot Toys
Serum Antidote – Custom made (see below)
The original rubber suit from Takara is limiting too much the articulation. I used a more flexible cat suit instead. The thinner cat suit also gives a more natural torn-up look. The armor damages were made by a grinder. Then use 2 different grey levels of paint to dry brush to make the details come out. The wounds on arm and thigh were made by cutting with a red hot knife (ouch!)
Looking back, the plan of making a Ex Machina version of Deunan has been in my mind for a while since the figure was out. It took me a while to decide making a damaged version. I got the idea from a PVC figure. The actual work took about 3~4 days.
The figure below is only a composed CG of my dream Deunan figure. I have not made such a figure. There is a technical difficulty as the HT head is too small for the CG body. I scaled up the image of the HT head by 10% in the CG.
I think HT has made the best Deunan from appearance perspective. But lack of the customize-ability, pose-ability that I cannot sacrifice.
A lot of people criticize CG’s head as it doesn’t look like Deunan. It probably look more like the old Deunan as appeared in Appleseed OVA in 1988.
Serum Virus Antidote – this is made from various cut parts: the body is a gun silencer, the green tube is model kit frame, the injector head is a NVG with a gundam part added as the tip, the 4-hook thing is a gundam part cut into shape.
Deunan (Casual Version)
Dress – Azone (fur pockets added, inspired by the Prada dress Deunan worn in the movie)
Belt – loose leather parts
Boots – Custom made (see below)
Sun Glasses – Forever Virginia
Just happen to find these boots as loose. They are pretty good match with those as seen on the movie data book. First I reduced the height of the boot. Then I added some rivets to give a similar style. Then dry brush.
Briareos
Everything Hot Toys original. It is a great figure however the articulation is pretty limited by the rubber suit. The ankle joints are not strong enough to hold the heavy body it tips over from time to time. The hands cannot hold on to the guns tightly. It is a challenge to try to pose this figure.
Damages to armor were created the same way as Deunan’s.
Landmate
This is 1/20 snap kit from Hot Toys. Until a 1/6 scale is produced, this is the best in the market at the moment. The factory paint work is pretty good. I only dry brush grey on black portion to make the details stand out.
Only one thing needs to be improved is the hip joints to allow the legs spread wider. I cut out the excessive parts surround the joints.
